Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1887-06-13
A SAD SUNDAY TRAGEDY.
The Drowning of ]. Irving Boards
ley in the Mississippi.
A serrowful Accident Near the Lower
sawmfll Last NiGht-Partieulars Of
the Aaafr--A Househeld In Mourn
fng--Finding Of the Bedy--The Cor
oner1s Inauest--The Funeral.
A TERRIBLE TRAGEDY.


all the sad and sudden accidents which
have startled the community and brought
grief TO Rock Island homes. none have
been more shocking. nor created such
general feelings of sorrow and regret. as
did this terrible tragedy. Within half an
hour after the occurrence the news had
spread all over the city, and expressions
Of sorrow over the affair, and sympathy
for the stricken parents were everywhere
heard The young man, who was unusu-
ally robust and healthy had attended the
fcneral of the late Capt. David Hitler at
the First Baptist church in the morning.
in company with Besrdsley camp, S. ".
of which he was qusrtermaster sergeant,
snd spent the afternoon at the Watch
tower with party of friends. returning
home at $50 He went down to one of
the ice houses after some ice. and on get
ting back, said ne felt tired and believed
he would take swim. He asked his
father. Capt. ] NJ. Bearisley. and Mr..
Phil Miller to go along. but they were
unable to comply, and accompanied by
his brother Marvin, aged fifteen, and 10
Miller, proceeded to the usual bathing
place at the boom Lear the lower sawmill,
IA ti,clS haloU
All the young men were excellent
swimmers. and not the least alarm was
felt for their safety. They had been in
the water only few minutes when the
unfortunate young man shouted for help,
being at the time about forty feet from
the logs. His two companions respond
ed quickly. and by placing themselves
one on each side had succeeded in getting
him within six feet of the logs. when he
was seized with cramp in the stomach,
and throwing his hands from the
shoulders of his attempted rescuers, be-
fore they could make any further attempt
| to save him. was lost to sight in an in-
slant. His faithful companions, ex>
hausted by their strenuous exertioos in
bis behalf, had hard work 10 save them,
selves, narrowly escaping the same fate.
In less than ten minutes after leaving
his home, 80 full of life and vigor, his
parents were notified OF bis death. Mrs
Besrdsley was completely Frustrated by
the terrible blow, her condition requiring
The attendance of Drs. Eyster and Trues-
Iale during the entire night, and giving
cause for the greatest alarm. All night
anxious friends trolled the river with
graphing hooks, in the hope of recover
ing the body The Sons of Veterans
were particularly industrious in their
comrade, and Messrs George E. Bailey
and Fred Hemenway and other personal
friends of Capt Beardsley, aided in the
search. Toward morning these gentle
men located the body. and at 6 o'clock
Capt Beardsley and F. J. Hodges found
the body. aud it was conveyed to Capt
Besrdsley's home, 401 Fourth avenue.
THE INQUEST.
Coroner HAYES was Immediately mott
fed, and the inquest was held. A jury
was summoned composed of Geo. E.
Bailey (foremsn)J. c. Peck, J. J. Kahlke
Fred j. Hodges, p. J. Cary and E. B. Nc
Kown. The testimony of Joseph Miller,
Hugh NJ. Beardsley, F. ]. Hodges, Geo.
E. Bailey and Homer l. Wilcox,
showed the facts TO be as given above. The
verdict of the jury was that the deceased
came to his death by accidental drown.
ing while bathing in the Mississippi river
inside the mill company's boom at or near
the foot of First street."
THE DECEASED.
james Irving Beardsley was born in
Rock Island in the house in which his
parents now live, corner of Fourth street
and Fourth avenue. April 10, 1866. and
was consequently at the time of his death
in his twenty-first year. Leaving the
high school AZ the age Of seventeen he
spent two years in the city post office
under his uncle. Major j. NJ. Beardsley
For the PAST two years he has successful
| ly conducted. under the name Of -. M.
Beardsley g. Co" broom manufactory,
exhibiting remarkable energy, indus
try and business ability. Deceased was
prominent member of Beardsley camr
Sons of Veterans, having been its quar-
ter master sergeant since its organization
year ago last fall. In all bis dealings
he was upright and honorable. enjoying
the confidence and esteem of his brother.
in the order as well as of the bushes com
munity. Genial, whole souled aud hearty
he viii be missed by all. Stricken dowr
IN the flrst hush OF a young but usefu
and vigorous manhood. his loss seems
almos: an unbearable one to his parent.
whose proudest and brightest hopes arr
thus 30 abruptly blighted.
The funeral will be held tomorrow af
ternoon at Q o'clock from the house Rev
W. s. Marquis of the Broadwa,
church officiating. Buford post G
A. r. as well as Beardsley camp
will turn out in a body and participate
| Ledge Election